Saint Paul's pillar

St Paul's pillar is in the heart of Kato Paphos, next to Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa church. According to the legent, when Saint Paul visited Paphos to teach the Christianityto the locals. Paphos - and Cyprus were then under Roman occupation and the Roman lord of Paphos punished him to lashing for teaching. He was knotted on the pillar and after the third lash, he kneed down. The lash was of a special type, with 13 lashes coming from the main lash. So, the three lashes were actually 39, as with each one 13 lashes hit him on his back. There is still a local say that Saint Paul received saranta para mia, i.e. forty but one, so 39 hits.

Opening hours and entrance fee

Both the pillar of Saint Paul and Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa church, are enclosed in an archaeological site. The entrace is free.